Supports: Darker Half and Temtris
Manning Bar, Sydney University
Friday, 31st of January, 2020
American rock singer and ex-Queensrÿche front man Geoff Tate continues to enjoy a good following in Australia. Last here in 2019 for two shows as one many guest vocalists with Avantasia, he recently returned to Australia for a three date run of shows under the title of Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime. In doing so, he and his band delivered the entire classic 1988 Queensrÿche album, Operation: Mindcrime plus a selection of tracks from Empire. Sadly, earlier material wasn’t included but for all in attendance who no doubt have the feature album etched into their brains, it was a unique event.
Reportedly this was the last time that Tate was doing this album tour in ongoing celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the award winning concept album so for Queensrÿche fans, it was a treat. If you caught Queensrÿche in 2006, they also included Operation: Mindcrime II but for those that didn’t this was decent consolation as Tate offered up a remarkable and precise vocal performance.
To being the night, South Coast based five piece Temtris, fronted by the boisterous Genevieve Rodda, was more engaging and unified on this occasion. Rodda’s vocal strength and vibrato skills sit well in the mix with the twin guitar work of Anthony Hoffman and Anthony Roberts, who trade off solos and play harmony parts with ease. Plenty of windmilling hair, a tight rhythm section and solid backing vocals also contribute to an improved stage presence. Ending their set with the vocally driven ‘Run’ provided falsetto and lower vocals plus some decent guitar soloing. More soaring vocals ensued and as Temtris finished up, they had successfully warmed up the growing room of punters.
Next, Sydney four piece Darker Half hit the stage and were soon unleashing solos galore with some synchronised stage moves, sometimes crouching or playing behind the head, for added effect. Songs such as ‘Aliens Exist’ from the Classified EP and ‘Heaven’s Falling’ contained decent falsetto from vocalist and guitarist, Steve ‘Vo’ Simpson. Twin harmony guitar lines shared between Simpson and lead guitarist Daniel Packovski were trotted out, backed by the galloping rhythm section. The varied pace made Darker Half’s set work well to then complete their set with the marching ‘Stranger’ from Never Surrender. Again, Darker Half are improving and getting better with each live performance.
After the changeover, lights dimmed and the dialogue introduction of Operation: Mindcrime filled the room. The band walked on with guitarists James Brown and Kieran Robertson launching into Anarchy—X, backed by the rhythm section of bassist Jack Ross and drummer Josh Watts. On walked Tate, wearing a vest, jeans, shaved head and a wide grin to great applause before they all kicked into a pretty decent rendition of Revolution Calling.
Even if the young band had the odd moment of finding their feet in the deceptively complex intricacies of the music, it was more about performance than precision but the guitar tones were authentic to the album. Tate was spot on with his incredible vibrato, huge range that includes falsetto and just his overall voice projection. Prowling the stage, his dominating presence and captivating to watch as he acted the lyrics out with almost theatrical movements to accentuate his vocal lines as the audience sang along, in unison.
A green lit stage during Speak added atmosphere to the story unfolding with further conviction in
delivery evident during the brilliant tracks, Spreading the Disease and The Mission. Percussive parts were executed well and as songs progressed with those well known, haunting guitar lines, judicious strobe effects enhanced the drama of songs. Tate pushed the narrative, in character of the protagonist to be spot lit at the edge of stage, with arm outstretched to clench fists, held to his face.
Following the album of course meant that the next batch of songs included the fantastic Suite Sister Mary and then The Needle Lies. The former track was embellished by a powerful duet between Tate and his daughter, Emily, who also exhibited a similarly commanding presence as the two faced each other, delivering the story arc within the song that is arguably the centrepiece of the album.
Arpeggiated guitar lines, chords ringing out, aching vocals and atmospherics were all done well and the odd rhythm guitar slip was barely noticeable. The audience yelled the chorus back at the stage for the latter track as the heavier riffing and drumming lifted the pace alongside restrained theatrics from Tate, whose vocal dexterity shone.
Both the tracks, I Don’t Believe in Love and the climactic Eyes of a Stranger were highlights and bookended some melodic yet tension building instrumental interludes on the now red lit stage. Tate voice was soaring against the chordal dynamics and melodic construction with vocal harmonies assisted by backing vocals. Guitar solos were traded and executed well with the harmonised content done decently. The denouement allowed a spot-lit Tate the broken, desperation of the main character’s realisation of manipulation.
As the final song of the album neared to conclusion, the audience sang back key parts such as the climactic, lyrical bridge before the repeated chorus. Tate sang out a long note as the guitars rang out for the band to reprise the album’s opening rhythm figure. The arrangements of Operation: Mindcrime are simply flawless.
As an encore, Queensrÿche fans were treated to several tracks from the 1990 Empire album. As swirling atmospherics played over the PC, a grinning Tate returned to the stage as the band played the opening riff of Best I can beautifully, without losing a beat with the progressive rock time signature. Chord bursts and an accessible chorus had the audience again singing along. Introducing Queensrÿche’s big hit, Silent Lucidity, Tate provided some fan anecdotes, observing how music translates throughout the world. The vocal harmonies, guitar figures and keyboard washes from production tapes played out well.
The mid paced title track from Empire was very well as clear sounds merged with heavy rock bombast and suitable virtuoso guitar from a now shirtless Robertson, continuing to wring searing notes out of his flying V guitar. Ending the show with Jet City Woman, Ross played the opening bassline perfectly as the guitars joined in. Again, the song has great dynamics with the audience singing back the chorus as Tate interspersed his parts within the song.
Whether or not one regards Geoff Tate as the signature sound of Queensrÿche, fans of both Tate and Queensrÿche were in their element tonight, swept away by the sheer musical depth of the Operation: Mindcrime album. It remains a virtually peerless concept album in the metal realm and was ahead of its time. Tonight’s sensational performance from Tate and band reinforced that Operation: Mindcrime sets a progressive rock concept album benchmark which is justifiably hailed as a masterpiece.
Set list:
I Remember Now
Anarchy—X
Revolution Calling
Operation: Mindcrime
Speak
Spreading the Disease
The Mission
Suite Sister Mary
The Needle Lies
Electric Requiem
Breaking the Silence
I Don’t Believe in Love
Waiting for 22
My Empty Room
Eyes of a Stranger
Encore:
Best I Can
Silent Lucidity
Empire
Jet City Woman.